Cereal production in 2014 estimated to have declined but still above average

The 2014 aggregate cereal production is estimated at 175 000 tonnes, 5 percent below last year’s good level. This is mainly the result of a 9 percent contraction in the 2014 rice output compared to the 2013 good level. Similarly, the 2014 maize output is estimated to have also decreased by 4 percent compared to the above-average level of the year before. Below-average rains between April and May over the main southern cereal producing areas, including districts of Sarpang, Chirang, Samdrup Jongkhar, resulted in a contraction in planted areas and lower yields.

As the result of the estimated decrease in 2014 aggregate cereal production, total cereal imports in the 2014/15 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at 86 000 tonnes, 4 percent above the high level of the previous year. Imports consist mainly of rice and wheat, which are forecast at 77 000 and 6 000 tonnes, respectively.

Food insecurity persists in rural areas

Food insecurity persists predominantly in rural areas with higher concentrations in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

UNHCR indicates that, as of July 2014, some 26 844 Bhutanese citizens of Nepalese origin are still living in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. According to the International Organization for Migration, as of December 2014, nearly 95 000 refugees have been resettled in third countries, following the major resettlement programme launched in November 2007. UNHCR will facilitate the resettlement in smaller numbers for several years.